Calling Corporate Departments about a job

[rubberducky]

Just curious, if I was applying for a posted corporate job that does not say "no phone calls", is it ok to call chief pilot or someone else in the department? My reasoning is to try and introduce myself and try to "work it". Is this wrong? If you were the chief would I be pissing you off? Any thoughts... I'm begining to think they post the listing after they hire someone just to meet the EEOC requirements...

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I would call.

Not every day, but I would call every once in a while to say "hey, Im very interested". For all you know they may have your resume on the desk and start asking you questions...


they will tell you if they dont want you to call or if the position has been filled.

 

[Flywrite]

I've experienced positive and negative responses. Mostly positive, and one negative.

A few months ago I got an e-mail from a friend telling me that he had heard the a certain turboprop manufacturer had an opening close to my home for a demo pilot. As I thought it would be cool to fly this particular aircraft, of Italian origin, I called their office. A very pleasenat receptionist told me to call the Chief Pilot and gave me his number down in Florida.

I called the number and recieved a less-than-friendly, and in my opinion a downright rude and unprofessional response. When I introduced myself and told him why I was calling he said that if I had seen the ad for the job I should know not to call, or could I not read? I told him I hadn't seen an ad, but that a friend had told me about the opening. Then he asks how I got his number. I told him I had got the number for the main office from the company website and the receptionist there had told me to call him and gave me his number. He grunts at this, but I go ahead and ask if I can send a resume. He tells me to e-mail it so I ask for his e-mail address. He tells me to call the receptionist back and ask her for it, then hangs up on me.

Needless to say I did not pursue this position further. I honestly feel for pilots who work for this type of person, so maybe calling is a good way for you as a pilot to weed out undesirable employers. Like I said this is the only negative response I've had calling about jobs. Almost all are friendly, even if they dont have time to talk, and more than a few are willing to spend some time talking to you about the position.

Good Luck

 

[2000flyer]

Personally, if I were the CP and involved in writing the ad and politely asked "no phone calls please" and you called, my first thought would be that you don't follow directions very well. So, lets say this is a job you really want. You've got a 50/50 chance. Do you feel lucky (in my best Dirty Harry voice)?

It is my belief that every resume received should get a letter or post card in return with a simple note saying "We received your resume, Thank you" at the minimum. Every one of us has sent countless resumes over our careers never to hear so much as a peep. I'd rather be told to get lost than hear nothing at all.

One thing I've done in the past when sending a resume. Two or three days later, send a follow up with a stamped card asking them to please drop it in the mail so I can be assured they received it. When I did that I rarely got the card back, but rather a pleasant letter saying at least "thanks for your interest."

Just my $0.02.

2000Flyer

 

[rubberducky]

Thanks for the help. Like I said,the posting said nothing about calling, so I called today and got the chief's voicemail. We'll see...

 

[English]

I recommend not calling.

I had someone call me today and tell me they were moving to our area in August, and might I have anything available? YIKES!

I take more kindly to someone just showing up. That way I can size them up more accurately. Sure I might be too busy, but usually I have sympathy for those who have made the trip down. Just don't one of those fellas with a STACK of resumes. Leave your stack in the car, and carry ONE resume to me. I'd like to feel I'm the only one you are courting, so to speak.

 

[CatYaaak]

Just curious, if I was applying for a posted corporate job that does not say "no phone calls", is it ok to call chief pilot or someone else in the department? My reasoning is to try and introduce myself and try to "work it". Is this wrong? If you were the chief would I be pissing you off? Any thoughts... I'm begining to think they post the listing after they hire someone just to meet the EEOC requirements...

My advice is to make the call if for nothing else to than to find out the Chief Pilot's name (or other appropriate person) for your cover letter, etc. I've had filing cabinet drawer with scores of letters/resumes with less than a dozen of them personally addressed (the rest with "Dear Sir/Madam" headings), even when the info is readily for the asking via phone, NBAA directory, etc.

Don't get me wrong, generically-addressed ones are still considered, but a telephone call to obtain or check a name is about the easiest and cheapest way to have your paperwork stand out a little....it shows you at least did a little research and nobody should fault you for that. In the course of the phone call, you'll be able to get a feel for whether they're willing to give more information, and you never know, the person doing the hiring may just pick up the phone, or maybe a captain who's willing to talk about the place.

The example of calling the CP down in FL and getting a rude response is a good example where phone calls can pay off. You DON'T want to work for someone like that! Any CP in corporate aviation should know that most job info is passed around word-of-mouth like wildfire and people act on what info they have, and things like "No Calls Please" don't get passed along. Sure, hunting down CPs in their private life won't get you far, but if his name was given out by his own company against his wishes, well that's his own screw-up for not proactively taking steps it wouldn't happen.

One more thing, English is right on. If you really want to work somewhere...go there!...and with the attitude you might be interviewed on the spot. It's a 99% chance you won't be, and sometimes it's a 2-minute resume drop-off and then you're out the door, but there's an even chance if people are around you'll end up chatting a little with another pilot etc. Like English said, it's courting, and because corporate operations are by nature insulated, they develop their own personalities. I can't emphasize enough how important a consideration this is for both sides of the process. They can't size you up if you're not there, and the reverse is also true.

More incentive for you to visit the places you are interested in; going from the airline background info you list, you'll probably have to overcome some uncertainty (and perhaps even prejudice) in their minds about your decision to pursue a corporate job. Unfortunately due to some coming before you many departments have been burned, and that issue is most easily overcome with face-to-face contact if you're sincere. Of course, if it's peopled with ex-airline guys, then you're golden!

A sincere good luck to you, and remember this is one area where you can create your own luck by going the extra mile. The "Wearing out Shoe Leather Rule" rule still applies.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

CALL FIRST - get an appointment

Never stop by unannounced.

 

[CatYaaak]

CALL FIRST - get an appointment

Never stop by unannounced.

Good point I forgot. Call first to even drop off a resume. It's the proper thing to do. If they're d!cks about it, screw 'em..you've got more class than they do, and if they're a small operation and on the road, no use going to a place where nobody's home.

 

[Quagmire11]

I wouldn't call

I wouldn't call, our Chief Pilot gets torked when people call or stop by. Last time we had an opening when the guy called to "augment his resume", he trashed his resume for "failure to follow directions".

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I wouldn't call, our Chief Pilot gets torked when people call or stop by. Last time we had an opening when the guy called to "augment his resume", he trashed his resume for "failure to follow directions".

Nothing wrong with a phone call.

guess your chief pilot never had to hit the streets and look for work huh?

No huge loss, you dont want to work for an a$$hole like this anyways...

 

[semperfido]

i would like to see an aggresive job applicant.

 

[Rick1128]

Nothing wrong with a phone call.

guess your chief pilot never had to hit the streets and look for work huh?

No huge loss, you dont want to work for an a$$hole like this anyways...

Being able to follow directions is an important item. If you give the impression that you can not follow simple directions like 'no phone calls' or 'sending your resume to the corporate headquarters instead of the flight department as requested', how can they expect you to follow more important directions like how to treat the boss or what wine to put on the aircraft. First impressions are exteremely important in this business. Remember that when you deal with other parts of he company, you represent the Chief Pilot.

In Flywrite's case, the Chief Pilot might have been a little out of line, but that call might have been the 4th or 5th call on this position he had gotten that morning.

 

[ultrarunner]

Just curious, if I was applying for a posted corporate job that does not say "no phone calls", is it ok to call chief pilot or someone else in the department? My reasoning is to try and introduce myself and try to "work it". Is this wrong? If you were the chief would I be pissing you off? Any thoughts... I'm begining to think they post the listing after they hire someone just to meet the EEOC requirements...

I'd follow directions. And your last sentence would be correct.

 

[FL350]

Every job I have gotten has been by sending a personalized resume first followed by a personalized phone call a week or two later. (ie my I speak with Mr. Smith, not may I speak with your chief pilot) I never sent a resume or called without doing a little research on the company first.

 

[h25b]

As long as there was no "NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE" I would say give them a call about a week after sending in your PERSONALIZED resume...

If they have a problem with that you probably don't want to work there anyway.

 

[rubberducky]

Thanks for the advice again. I called and the chief was really cool. In this case it worked out by calling but man its such a balancing act...